rulers

noun

plural of ruler
as in monarchs
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rulers For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 With his latest champion secured, the Grammy nominee ties Katy Perry for the tenth-most rulers in the history of the ranking, with 11 apiece. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Many other personalist post-Soviet states have created institutional mechanisms for selecting new rulers or communicating clear expectations about who will take power after the current leader leaves. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 While not universally successful, the Arab Spring did lead to the ouster of corrupt rulers, including Tunisia’s Pres. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Oft referred to as the king and queen of Italian wine, Barolo and Barbaresco can truly reign together as co-rulers, especially when produced by those with a foot in each appellation. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026 For most of history, order was imposed from above because rulers did not trust ordinary people with power. — Keith Krach, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 Late last year, archaeologists recovered a cache of early medieval weapons from a lake in west-central Poland — relics believed to be connected to the country's first rulers. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026 Since overthrowing the Assad dynasty, Syria’s new rulers have struggled to exert control across the country and to check extremist groups. — ABC News, 3 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
  1. monarchs
  2. kings
  3. emperors
  4. sovereigns
Noun
  • Social media has given the wealthy something the French monarchs at the Palace of Versailles never had—a real-time global audience of millions.
    — Zahra Tayeb, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • According to the World Wildlife Fund, the overwintering areas covered by monarchs this year increased by 64 percent.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of monarchs
Noun
  • For families Studios, suites, and deluxe level kings are all spacious enough for families—but for the latter of those options be sure to book early, as there are only 16 up for grabs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • England can keep its in-fighting kings and estranged – and strange - family.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of kings
Noun
  • Maybe it’s supposed to end this way — as admirers who became combatants, who bonded as only emperors can, then became close.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Various polls have shown most people are open-minded about female emperors.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of emperors
Noun
  • As one of the big three ratings agencies, alongside Fitch and Moody’s, S&P Global plays a crucial role in determining whether African sovereigns and businesses can secure capital from international financial markets.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
  • Some sovereigns have succeeded in extracting millions of dollars in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by filing false tax forms.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026
Definition of sovereigns

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ruler
rulers
rulership
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Cite this Entry

“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rulers

Nglish: Translation of rulers for Spanish Speakers

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